Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday
Sturrock salutes Wednesday fans Manager Paul Sturrock hailed Sheffield Wednesday's "unbelievable" fans as the club reached the Championship with a 4-2 play-off final win over Hartlepool. "They kept with us when we looked like we were out of it," the Owls boss said after the extra-time win in Cardiff. "But then we got the penalty and some luck, with them going down to 10 men. "The players were really professional in their approach in the last half-hour and, despite some of them playing 50 games, they were still digging deep." Sturrock conceded that he thought Wednesday may have missed their chance at 2-1 down with eight minutes remaining of the 90. But Chris Westwood's foul on Drew Talbot in the box gave them hope. The Pools defender saw red before substitute Steve MacLean stepped up to level proceedings at 2-2 from the subsequent penalty. And Wednesday, backed by more than 40,000 supporters, re-asserted the control they had enjoyed in the first-half with goals from Glenn Whelan and Talbot in extra-time. "We were chasing the game and put the three subs on with 15 minutes to go, got the penalty and got back in it," added Sturrock. "We're a young team and we've had our ups and downs this season but the kids have matured. "It's for these people. To take 41,000 to a game like this is incredible and hopefully they'll all be there at the start of next season. "They've had 10 years where they've been in the doldrums, they've been frustrated but you can see that they're a big club - I'm delighted for them. "We've achieved something but we've got a hard task on our hands now with restructuring to get ready for the Championship. "We're starting to get ourselves in the places we want to be."

Quinn offered new deal with Owls
Northern Ireland striker James Quinn is set to sign a new deal with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Quinn, preparing for Saturday's friendly with Germany, helped the Owls overcome Hartlepool in the League One play-off final at the weekend. "The club has made an offer and it looks like I will be sitting down with the manager to agree terms," he said. "I want to play in the Championship and to do that with Sheffield Wednesday would be great." Quinn hopes to impress Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez in the Windsor Park encounter with Germany. He added: "I don't know if Lawrie has taken into account my performances for Wednesday but if I get the chance on Saturday I will do my best to show him my game has improved. "I am happy to play the role of a foil for David Healy. As long as the team does well I am happy."

Sturrock starts Sheff Wed changes
Sheffield Wednesday quartet Lee Bullen, James Quinn, Richard Wood and Graeme Lee have been offered new contracts by manager Paul Sturrock. But, after winning the League One play-off final, Matthew Hamshaw, Lewis McMahon, Zigor Aranalde, Chris Adamson and Paul Smith have been released. Academy youngsters Liam Needham and Ross Greenwood have also been let go. "This has been one of the hardest decisions ever as it's come so quickly after a fantastic day," said Sturrock. He added: "I don't think you can appreciate having to tell players that kind of news just hours after partying with them. "It's probably the hardest time I've ever had telling players their fate." Sturrock has already set his sights on bringing players in as he prepares his squad for the Championship. "I want two players for each position and I have rough ideas about who I want to bring in," he told the Wednesday website. "The budget I have is dramatically increased from the division below."

Lee commits future to Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday defender Graeme Lee has committed himself to the Owls following their promotion to the Championship from League One. Lee, 27, has accepted a new two-year deal with the option of a further 12-months¿ stay at Hillsborough. "I'm excited at the opportunity, I'm looking forward to the challenge and I can't wait for next season," Lee told Wednesday's website. James Quinn, Richard Wood and Lee Bullen are yet to agree new terms.

Plymouth boss defiant on Coughlan
Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson insists Sheffield Wednesday have not enquired about Graham Coughlan. The 30-year-old defender has been linked with the Owls, who are managed by former Pilgrims' boss Paul Sturrock. "As of now, we have not heard anything from Sheffield Wednesday regarding Graham, or any of our players," Williamson told the Plymouth Herald. "Speculation will mount, but until we receive an offer for any of our players there is nothing to talk about." Coughlan has made almost 200 appearances for the Championship club.

Bullen agrees new deal with Owls
Sheffield Wednesday captain Lee Bullen has agreed an improved one-year deal. The 34-year-old Scot had expected to leave the club after the play-off final win against Hartlepool. Bullen told the club's website: "It looked impossible financially to stay. I've been living with Jon-Paul McGovern for the last three months. "The manager pulled me in, we had a couple of days of talks and they improved the offer enough for me to be able to rent my own place."

Sturrock sets out spending plan
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has set himself a two-week deadline for bringing new players to Hillsborough. Sturrock has returned from holiday and wants any new faces in place by the start of pre-season training on 1 July. "There are key areas we need to strengthen. The budget will be discussed on Friday and we'll get on with it," he told the club website. "We're hoping to bring in a lot of players to bolster the squad and have to make sure they gel quickly."

Defender Wood pens new Owls deal
Sheffield Wednesday defender Richard Wood has agreed a new deal at the club. Wood, 19, has signed a contract running until June 2007 with the option of a further 12 months. He told the club's website: "I didn't want to be anywhere other than here and I can't wait for next season. It's a chance to play at a higher level." Wood established himself as a regular member of Paul Sturrock's side in the second half of last season as the Owls clinched promotion via the play-offs.

Sturrock captures defender Diallo
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has signed former Ipswich defender Drissa Diallo on a free transfer. The 32-year-old, who was not offered a new deal by Ipswich at the end of the season, has signed a one-year contract. A delighted Sturrock told the Owls' website: "He's an honest defender - quick, hard-working and attacks the ball really well." Diallo added: "I had a chat with the manager and had a very good feeling. I'm looking forward to the season." Diallo arrived in English football when he joined Burnley from Mechelen in January 2003, but moved to Ipswich that summer and has made 45 League appearances in two seasons at Portman Road. He is the second defender to join the Owls this week, following left-back John Hills' move from Gillingham.

Brunt extends stay at Sheff Wed
Sheffield Wednesday winger Chris Brunt has agreed a one-year extension to his deal which will keep him at the until the summer of 2007. Brunt, 20, has made 58 appearances for the Owls since he moved from Middlesbrough in March 2004. He has scored seven goals for the club including a vital strike in the play-off semi final against Brentford. Brunt's end-of-season form helped him to earn a second full Northern Ireland cap against Germany on 4 June.

McMahon thrilled with County deal
Notts County have completed the signing of midfielder Lewis McMahon, who was released by Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the summer, on a one-year deal. The 20-year-old had made 31 league and cup appearances for the Owls. "It was a shock leaving Wednesday, but I just had to get on with it," McMahon told the Magpies' website. "I know Notts County's quite a big club, and once I had spoken to the manager, Gudjon Thordarson, I felt it was the place to come."

Owls swoop for Rangers defender
Sheffield Wednesday have had a bid accepted by Rangers for their 24-year-old right-back, Maurice Ross. Ross, currently away with Rangers on their tour of Canada, is not a regular at Ibrox and almost joined West Ham last season. He is now expected to return to Britain in order to discuss personal terms with the Owls. The fee has not been disclosed, but it is understood Rangers value the player in excess of £100,000.

Vasas handed trial at Sheff Wed
Sheffield Wednesday are giving a trial to Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Vasas. Owls manager Paul Sturrock told the club website: "We had a look at Zoltan and he came highly recommended so we decided to have a look at him. "He's a very good player technically and he's here for 10 days, so we'll monitor his progress." However, Vasas is not eligible to play in Wednesday's pre-season friendlies as his player registration is held with Nyireghera in Hudary.

Wednesday wrap up O'Brien signing
Sheffield Wednesday have signed Burton O'Brien on a three-year contract after the midfielder left Livingston. The 24-year-old becomes the Owls' fourth signing of the summer as they seek to boost their squad in time for the new Championship season. South Africa-born O'Brien began his career at St Mirren and had an unsuccessful three-year spell with Blackburn before joining Livingston. He made 119 appearances for Livi, scoring 16 goals in the process. O'Brien rejected a new deal with Livingston and also rebuffed approaches from Aberdeen and Dundee United, as well as the offer of a trial with Hearts. The former Scotland Under-21 international had been on the brink of a call-up to Walter Smith's senior team. But his preference is to answer a call-up by South Africa, but that move has so far been held up by red tape.

Greenwood makes Stockport move
Stockport County manager Chris Turner has completed the signing of defender Ross Greenwood. The 19-year-old was released by Turner's former club Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season Stockport boss Chris Turner told the club website: "Ross is strong, athletic and give us competition on the right." Greenwood will be joined at Edgeley Park by former Owls midfielder Matt Hamshaw, who is expected to finally complete his move on Monday.

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